RFA-HD-17-006 - Learning Disabilities Research Centers (P50)

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)

The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), plans to issue a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) to solicit new and renewal applications for Learning Disabilities Research Centers (LDRCs). This FOA will be a reissue of RFA-HD-17-006.

NICHD encourages investigators of current LDRCs and others who believe that they have sufficient expertise and resources to coordinate and implement a center research program to begin consideration of applying for this initiative.

This Notice is being provided to allow potential applicants sufficient time to develop meaningful collaborations and responsive projects. 

The FOA is expected to be published in late Spring or Summer 2022 with an expected application due date in Fall 2022.

This FOA will utilize the P50-Specialized Center activity code. Details of the planned FOA are provided below.

Approximately 15% of the general population has one or more Specific Learning Disorders (SLDs), impacting individuals from all racial and ethnic groups. Despite significant scientific advances, the field continues to work towards the unmet goal of addressing the needs of all learners. The LDRC RFA will seek applications from institutions that support a focus on the needs of learners that are at-risk for significant learning challenges, have been identified with an SLD or have to-date been minimally responsive to state-of-the-science interventions. An LDRC application will include a multi-project and multi-core application that addresses critical, time-sensitive research and practice topics specific to individuals with significant learning challenges and/or individuals with SLDs.

The purpose of LDRCs is to stimulate transdisciplinary research and develop new knowledge examining topics related to the identification of (definition, etiology, and classification) and interventions for (prevention and remediation) SLDs impacting listening, speaking, reading, writing and mathematics, with an emphasis on populations with co-occurring conditions and individuals from historically under-represented and under-served groups.

This LDRC RFA proposes to support studies to enhance classification models for SLDs, improve understanding of the genetic and neurobiological foundations of SLDs, and enhance dissemination of translational research to researcher and practitioner audiences. Potential applicants should plan for rigorous evaluations of community engagement efforts designed to develop and promote sustained, bi-directional engagement and learning among researchers and public health (e.g., primary care, public health clinics, schools) and community venues, promote access to and utilization of resources within these settings, and to build opportunities for the next generation of community engaged scholars. Potential applicants are encouraged to monitor the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts for the publication of the FOA. There is no additional information that will be provided at this point.

TBD